What a farewell during the last moment of the year 2009. Not to forget, the word “embrace” actually comes from the year that we are going to say good bye very soon. During the past few months, we have been emphasizing on how we should embrace each on coming new months. So started with October, November, and December, when the clock ticks to the 11.59:59 tonight, we will officially embark onto a brand new year, a brand new journey and many brand new hopes.

“Two-Thousand Nine”, how can I actually summarize, or rather to “qualify and quantify” all the happenings throughout the year? Economically, 2009 has been a year of ups and downs. Although, mainly on economic recovery, the economy remains resilient and worrying. As we cross over to 2010, economists expect the economy to return to the green bar. Politically, 2009 was a relatively stable year compared to 2008. With new Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak on power, and bringing the whole Malaysia as “1 Malaysia”. However, there should be more efficiency and performance by the current administration, only then the potential can be attained. Hopefully, 2010 will bring a more prosperous and more stable political landscape in Malaysia and the world. Individually, 2009 will be termed as the year that I have learnt, experienced and grow. Of course, the year has been a relatively great one. It changes the people that I mix with, it changes the environment that I am in, and not to miss out, it changes for who I was, for the better.

January 2009. As far as I can remember, it was a month of studying and studying. Struggling about whats not complete. However, for this year, I think I will struggle more in the sense that I am really far behind for all my revisions. LOL. That month, it was my first clubbing after so many many years. Went to Zouk for a dance competition. After that, got ourselves like liquor and got ourselves drunk like hell.

February 2009. A total cam-whore period for all of us. Whether it happened in school or during Chinese New Year, my photos updates were like “tonnes”. Went back to Malaysia for Chinese New Year, had a great time with cousins and relatives, taking so many funny posing pictures, and of course had many great food. After back from Malaysia, played with Felix’s camera, kept shooting until today. And of course, SHINE Models and Talents got me into the experience in becoming a model. Its a super LOL stuff though. HAHA! But I learnt and experience something beyond what I learnt in school. Of course, during that month, I had my Marinate Kaki like Audrey, Yu Bin, Zhi Hui and of course Felix they all to accompany. I would say that its a month that I will never dare to forget.

March 2009. The big memorable one was the time when we went to DBL O with the Secondary School Friends. That night was a mad one. As in seriously, we were all so drunk, and were like dancing like mad people. Thats the purpose of clubbing right? HAHA! And Felix had to do a project and got my photo “The Making of a Economist” being exhibited at the SIM atrium. Super LOL too. That Month was also a super worrying month for all of us because we had our prelim examination. Although its Prelim, I think I did not really go and attempt it seriously. I even skipped some of them. Haha! All of us were so stressful and I remembered Ploy also cried because of SYOG stuffs and studies. We also went for a meeting for SYOG, was a great insight on the prestigious on coming event of Singapore in 2010.

April 2009 & May 2009. A very busy and stressful month for all of us as examination gonna start so soon. And for us, I remembered it was the first time that I went for K-session with my bunch of Malaysian friends. Did not managed to get into REDBOX, so went to somewhere which I forgotten where, and we had a great time too. And its so cheap, think only RM 3 per person! WTH! HAHA! After which, its time to tone down and get ourselves ready for the UOL Finals.

June 2009. A month to celebrate for our end of UOL EXAMS! Haha! Its such a good time for us to enjoy and relax after months of studying and revisions. Undeniably, as far as I can recall, I did not actually celebrate at all because the planned clubbing session was canceled due to some reasons. However, got a chance to meet up with YJR! We had a great catch up time at Marina Square Kenny Rogers. Super not nice and I can still remember the taste so clearly. Hmm, long time dint meet up with them already. Hope that we will meet up soon. =) After which, traveled back to hometown at Tapah to celebrate Grandma’s Birthday. It was a great one, and it has always been great time mingling with family and relatives.

July to August 2009. This was the month which I were so anti social. Not really because of anti social la. Haha. Too busy working with with Dad and the routine was so flat, everyday wake up work till evening then home and rest again. Hmmm, learnt lots of stuffs and of course in the midst of working, I do prepare for school to start. During this period of time, I also donno why I joined into the SIM GE Casting Call 2010. It was also the month that my SIM GE Scholarship has been approved by the school and was being selected to be the SIM GE All Rounder Student (ARS) Development Programme. And I already knew by that time, that this new school term will be a super different one. And it just did. And of course, we also went for the ISR 2009 IMMIX Presentation.

September 2009. A month which school reopens and a new term debut. Participated for the Casting Call 2010 results announcement day. Its such a surprise because I was selected for it and became one of the five online winners. Super LOL again. Apart from that, went to East Coast Park with Secondary School Friends! It was a great time because it was a full day programme. Sun bathed at ECP, cycled, photosession, and dinner at night, (Still can remember Lili very angry tt Ben keep taking us to somewhere far)…and K session at some ulu place, then our sudden plan to club at Clarke Quay! HAHAHA! Not to forget the SIM Screen Test experience for SIM Marketing Video. Then, attended for Ting Ting’s 21st Birthday. I think its the first 21st Birthday that I have attended so far. LOL! It was also the month which we went to Marina Barrage for the first time to fly kite and photo taking. HAHA! Great time great memories. Lastly, we also have the SIM Student Week. Its like tonnes of fun during then.

October 2009 to December 2009. Months of celebrations with so many October Babies and festive seasons. Its just the months which I played toooooo much! The movies, dinners, townings, tea times, laughters, cam whorings, ding tai fungs, Butters, Timbres, no monday blues mondays, birthday surprises, playing with gabe’s tiffany, SIM Marketing Video shoot, Funky Grad interview, SIM Casting Call 2010 photo shooting session, Jill Lowe’s meaningful course, International Student Night 2009, unlimited K sessions, Ya Kun Breakkies, Xin Wangs at ION, SIM GE Scholarship Award Ceremony, Estee’s 21st, and ARS Christmas Gathering, plus a party for Pre Christmas at Butter.

And now, waiting for 2010 to come in a few hours. Although, 2009 wasnt a smooth sailed one, but no life is a smooth sailing journey afterall. Only when we deal with obstacles, only then we will learn and grow. I have to thank 2009 for giving me such a dynamic year, for teaching me the values that I should instill myself with. These few weeks, many things happened, I have to admit, I still got lots of things to learn. I am not perfect, but I will perfect myself.

For a new year, a new resolution for the year. I should have more patient in everything, and of course to become a better-tempered Shane. 2010, will be a year to unfold many changes. A year which I will be graduating from University, the year which I will be facing a great transition in life. Once again, I would like to thank everyone, who have helped me and encouraged me in any way which brings me to who I am today. As we continue to move on to a new year, we should have new perspectives and of course to make ourselves to be a better one. To family and friends, thank you so much and wishing you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010!

A year look forward, a year of continuing dynamics.

Lets together, EMBRACE 2010!

(PS: My hair and looks really changed from the start! LOL!)

Just a few days ago, on 19 Dec 2009, we had our long planned mini ARS Christmas Gathering Party on the roll. Haha. It was a free and easy gathering, with the current batch of ARS and the previous batch. Staffs were there too, like Evelyn and Rosalind. We (Sean, Mel, Jon and me) reached Ulu Pandan Campus at around 5 plus in the evening to get things done. Put on the decorations that we bought and arranged everything getting ready for people to come in. The food came in time and somehow like too much for us. Haha. So, we started to have our dinner, socialising with people, from previous batch like Aaron and Alvin, and of course to catch up with each others life.

We got each others a Christmas Hat which is cool to wear on. And after which, we had a small games, entertaining ourselves. The day ended tired, but a fulfilling one. Lets see the picture galore.

We had a great time together. Most memorable was still the part when we (Sean, Mel, Jonathan and me) working together. Meeting up at town to find stuffs for the decorations, and the huge efforts from them that makes this possible. After working together, we felt much bonded, and of course we know each others better in that sense that we worked as a team. =) I had a great experience working with them. Hope that there are more opportunities in the future, which I guess, will be alot of it.

Last of all, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas 2009 and a Happy New Year 2009. Have a booms one! =)

Estee’s 21st Birthday was a great one. Time seriously flies, and its already the time for Estee to be officially 21 years old. Although she doesnt look like one, but we have knew each others for almost 10 years and growing strong. I would say its a great deal of honour for knowing her as a friend, and all the memories that we shared together. Even though we parted to different life journey, frequent meet ups have been keeping our bonds strong. That evening, headed to school and back home get changed, train-ed down to Somerset station. Her party was held at Somerset Orchard Serviced Residences. Its in front of the newly opened Somerset 313 shopping complex. The ambience was good, greeted by Felix and Benjamin, which we met each others before going up. After which, we played with Estee’s Birthday Dress for the night, HAHA! Its super funny when the size was wrong for both Ben and Felix to wear on.

Soon after, Lili and Des came back, with Yanhan. Then started to prepare that big big card of ours, I meant a poster apparently. Then as time passes, more guests came and the food eating started. Great accompany for the night. I even met Junda on that night as he also attended the party. We played with the big finale thingy, so funny, and practice our usual (face on the cake). Estee initially did not wanna oblige to it, but ended up doing it. Thanks for being cooperative. LOL! So the night was a great and easy one, and others went to sleep so early. Oh ya, we even played with Helium balloons. LOL! Super funny when the voice came out. HAHA! Everyone was tired, and slept early. While the others like me, Lili, Des, Estee and Charmaine was like eating and eating the leftover food plus a can of Heinekens.

Now, let the pictures do the talking (Thanks Felix for the photos) =):

Once again, HAPPY 21st ESTEE! Have a dynamic one! =)

突然间， 就觉得特别的无动力。

想想，

我失去了原定的目标。

束手无策。

Citigroup, U.S. Government and Regulators Agree to TARP Repayment

Citi’s Capital Ratios and Liquidity to be Among Strongest in the Industry
Citi to Issue $17 Billion of Common Stock and $3.5 Billion of Tangible Equity Units
Citi to Repay $20 Billion of TARP Trust Preferred Securities
Agreement with the U.S. Government and Regulators to Terminate Loss-Sharing Agreement
U.S. Treasury to Sell Up To $5 Billion of its Common Shares via Concurrent Secondary Offering; Plans Orderly Exit
Citi to Substitute Substantial Common Stock for Cash Compensation; Will Cease to be a Beneficiary of TARP ‘Exceptional Financial Assistance’ Beginning in 2010
As of December 31, Citi Will Have Paid or Accrued $3.1 Billion in Dividends and Interest to the U.S. Government on TARP Investment

New York – Citi today announced that it has reached an agreement with the U.S. government and its regulators to repay U.S. taxpayers for the $20 billion the government holds in TARP trust preferred securities and to terminate the loss-sharing agreement with the government.

Vikram Pandit, Chief Executive Officer, said on behalf of the entire Citi Board of Directors, “The TARP program was designed to provide assistance until banks were in a position to repay it prudently. We are pleased to be able to repay the U.S. government’s trust preferred securities and to terminate the loss-sharing agreement. We owe the American taxpayers a debt of gratitude and recognize our obligation to support the economic recovery through lending and assistance to homeowners and other borrowers in need.”

The securities transactions planned to facilitate the repayment of the $20 billion in TARP trust preferred securities and the termination of the loss-sharing agreement are as follows:

Citi will immediately issue $20.5 billion of capital and debt, comprised of:

• $17 billion of common stock, with an over-allotment option of $2.55 billion; and
• $3.5 billion of tangible equity units (consisting of approximately $2.8 billion of prepaid common stock purchase contracts (recorded as equity) and approximately $0.7 billion of subordinated notes (recorded as debt)).

In connection with Citi’s offering, the U.S. Treasury (UST) will sell up to $5 billion of the common stock it holds in a concurrent secondary offering. After the secondary offering, the UST is subject to a 45-day “lock-up” period. The Treasury has also announced that it plans to sell the remainder of its shares in an orderly fashion over the next 6-12 months.

In addition, Citi has decided to issue in January 2010 $1.7 billion of common stock equivalents to employees in lieu of cash they would have otherwise received. Subject to shareholder approval at the company’s annual meeting on April 1, 2010, the common stock equivalents will be replaced by common stock.

As agreed with the U.S. government and its regulators, following the successful completion of the $17 billion common stock offering and the $3.5 billion offering of tangible equity units, Citi will repay $20 billion of TARP trust preferred securities. The repayment will result in an approximate $8 billion pre-tax loss ($5.1 billion after tax). Citi will also terminate the loss-sharing agreement with the government and cancel $1.8 billion of the $7.1 billion in trust preferred securities it originally issued to the government as consideration for the benefits provided by that agreement. This will result in an approximate pre-tax loss of $2.1 billion ($1.3 billion after tax). The termination of the loss-sharing agreement will increase Citi’s risk-weighted assets by approximately $144 billion.

As a result of the repayment of the TARP trust preferred securities and the termination of the loss-sharing agreement, Citi expects a net reduction in annual interest expense of approximately $1.7 billion and approximately $0.5 billion in lower annual amortization expense associated with the loss-sharing agreement.

Once Citi repays the $20 billion of TARP trust preferred securities and upon termination of the loss-sharing agreement, it will no longer be deemed to be a beneficiary of “exceptional financial assistance” under TARP beginning in 2010.

After giving effect to the issuance of $17 billion in new common stock, $3.5 billion of tangible equity units and $1.7 billion of stock compensation, as well as the repayment of $20 billion of the TARP trust preferred securities and the termination of the loss-sharing agreement, Citi’s pro forma Tier 1 capital ratio at the end of the third quarter of 2009 would have been 11.0%, compared with 12.8%. The company’s pro forma Tier 1 common ratio at the end of the third quarter would have been 9.0%, compared with 9.1%. Citi has also indicated to its regulators that, in support of its capital strength, it may issue up to $3 billion of trust preferred securities in the first quarter of 2010.

“As I have stated many times over the past year, we planned to exit TARP only when we were convinced that it was prudent to do so,” Pandit said. “By any measure of financial strength, Citi is among the strongest banks in the industry, and we are in a position to support the economic recovery.”

• In 2009, Citi has provided approximately $458 billion in new credit in the U.S. through the end of October.
• Since the start of the U.S. housing crisis in 2007, Citi has worked with more than 715,000 homeowners, with mortgage debt aggregating approximately $79 billion to help them avoid potential foreclosure.
• Citi is also currently helping more than 1.5 million credit card customers manage their debt through a variety of forbearance programs. More than 510,000 card members entered these programs in the third quarter alone.

During 2009, Citi has:

• Substantially strengthened its capital position. After giving effect to the transactions announced today, Citi would have had approximately $117.4 billion tangible common equity at the end of the third quarter of 2009, compared with $31.1 billion as of December 31, 2008 and would have had approximately $101.7 billion of Tier 1 Common at the end of the third quarter, compared to $22.9 billion as of December 31, 2008.
• Significantly lowered expenses by $15 billion annually
• Simplified the company through the sale of non-core assets. It has completed more than 20 divestitures since the beginning of 2008 and reduced assets within Citi Holdings by $281 billion from peak levels in the first quarter of 2008.
• Assembled a new management team, overhauled the risk management function and added significant financial services, risk and markets experience to its Board of Directors.

For further information on the details of the repayment, seehttp://www.citigroup.com/citi/fin/data/p091214a.pdf

(Source extracted from Citigroup Corporate Website, http://www.citigroup.com/ )

These few days, whether studying or travelling, this song will never fail to play on my ipod.

“I like it Rough” by the Lady Gaga, a song or rather an “ecstasy” that will make my body dance. Haha! I do not know if I am able to find the official video, but this is the best I can get from the popular youtube.

I think its not the official one, but nevermind, find yourself for the song. It really makes you on the move! HAHA!

I LIKE IT ROUGH

LADY GAGA

Your love is nothing I can’t fight,
Can’t sleep with the man who dims my shine.
I’m in the bedroom,
With tissues and when,
I know you’re outside banging
that I won’t let you in.
‘Cause it’s a hard life,
with love in the world,
And I’m a hard girl,
Loving me is like chewing on pearls.
[Chorus]
You’ve got me wandering why I,
I like it rough I,
I like it rough I,
I like it rough. [x2]
Won’t go without my fix tonight,
It’s a little too rough.
Prom girl wipes her tears
with silver lines.
And she can’t get enough.
I’m in the bedroom,
With tissues and when,
I know you’re outside banging
that I won’t let you in.
‘Cause it’s a hard life,
with love in the world,
And I’m a hard girl,
Loving me is like straightening curls.
[Chorus]
I’m shiny and I know it,
Don’t know why you wanna blow it,
Need a man who likes it
rough, likes it rough, likes
it rough. [x2]
Is it because you don’t mean it?
Or because I don’t feel it?
Unless it’s rough. [x2]
(Lady Gaga)
[Chorus]

It just rocks, anyway. =)

Three years ago, or exactly two years and six months ago to be precise, me and my bunch of JC friends, Yanling and Swee San, set on the FCH Goal. FCH, exactly what, First Class Honours. And after that two years and six months, how things evolved? Leaving with six more months till I end my degree journey with a full stop, how far I came? Not very convincing to reach that FCH goal though, seeing a Second Upper Class instead. Recently, I lost this motivated and this ultimate goal. I see nothing at all. All I can see and do is to waste my time away doing indiscipline stuffs. Study and ended up did not study. Everything went so messy.

I know more people. And the people hanging out also change as time progresses. When eventually, I realised I did something really wrong. Which I think theres no way to make a smooth U turn. Think, feels and impressions.

What I have learnt, probably is that when you get something, you lost something. Apparently, the things you lost hurt you more than the happiness you get. Unhappy and ignorant.

Its the first day of December. It have been 3 months since school reopened.

What have I done actually?

Nothing significant I supposed.

Lack of motivation, discipline, initiative, responsibility, and a crisis in my time management.

When it is needed, will it come back eventually?

Need to stay, need to focus and concentrate.

And road down the journey, will be moments of worries.

I once saw,

“whenever one met into an obstacle, we must embrace and honour it, simply because it makes us into a stronger and better person.”

and yet, say is better than to be done “practically”.